Production of amines

Abstract

Aminomethylation of olefins which employs a homogeneous catalyst which is a solution in a suitable solvent of mixed ruthenium and iron carbonyls. The overall reaction may be represented as follows: <IMAGE> +TR <IMAGE> where R1 and R2 are hydrogen or essentially hydrocarbon groups. The reaction proceeds by way of an aldehyde intermediate. Accordingly, the starting material may be an aldehyde instead of an olefin.

I claim: 
     
       1. In the production of an amine by the aminomethylation of an olefin wherein an olefin is reacted with ammonia, a primary amine or a secondary amine in the presence of carbon monoxide and water or hydrogen, and in the production of an amine by reaction of an aldehyde with ammonia, a primary amine or a secondary amine in the presence of carbon monoxide and water or hydrogen, and wherein a homogeneous catalyst in the form of a solution of a catalyst in a solvent is used, the improvement which comprises employing a mixed ruthenium carbonyl/iron carbonyl as a catalyst. 
     
     
       2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the reactant with the amine is an olefin. 
     
     
       3. The improvement of claim 2 wherein the olefin has a terminal vinyl group and the resulting amine product is predominantly of the type   >CH--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --NR.sub.1 R.sub.2     wherein R 1  and R 2  are hydrogen or organic groups and may form parts of a cyclic structure.   
     
     
       4. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the molar ratio of iron to ruthenium is about 25% to 75% iron and 75% to 25% ruthenium. 
     
     
       5. The improvement of claim 2 wherein the reactants are the olefin, carbon monoxide and water and the solution is made alkaline with the hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate of sodium, potassium, caesium or rubidium. 
     
     
       6. The improvement of claim 2 wherein the reactants are an olefin, carbon monoxide and hydrogen and the solution is made alkaline by an alkoxide or phenolate of sodium, potassium, caesium or rubidium.